Multiple speed coiler



Jan. 13, 1959 Filed Nov. 2, 1955 T. E. LEWIS, JR

MULTIPLE SPEED COILER 3 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENT'OR. Tho/na E. Lea/w, J

ATTORNEYJ .Jan. 13, 1959 T. E. LEWIS, JR

MULTIPLE SPEED coma 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 2, 1955 Jan. 13, 1959 T. E. LEWIS, JR 63,

" MULTIPLE SPEED COILER Filed Nov. 2, 1955 s SheetsSheet a INVENTOR; 7720mm; E. L emu-s; J/r

gwmMmq ATTORNEYS United States Patent MULTIPLE SPEED COILER Thomas E. Lewis, Jr., Trumbull, Conn., assignor to The Coulter & McKenzie Machine -Co., Inc., Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application November 2, 1955, Serial No. 544,442

12 Claims. (Cl. 242-83) This invention relates to a Wire feeding method and apparatus, and more specifically to a Wire feeding and coiling method and mechanism for tightly and neatly coiling wire in a packing container or the like.

In describing the following invention, it is necessary that the term wire line be referred to. Wire line as herein referred to is defined as that imaginary line or path a wire will assume as it is fed at a predetermined linear rate from a suitable source of supply to a rotating container having a related rate of rotation during a coiling or winding operation in the absence of any whipping, dropping, dragging or other influencing factors present during the operation.

Heretofore, in packaging wire, it was customary to feed wire into the top of a rotating cored container with a wire line located substantially midway between the core and side walls of the containerwith the result that the wire as it dropped would swing from side to side and provide a package of loosely coiled wire. Hence, it was impossible to get a maximum amount of wire in the space and because of the looseness it was difficult at times to unwind the wire due to the binding of the wire.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages by causing the wire line to shift or move during the feeding and coiling operation so that predetermined, uniform layers of coiled wire are built up within the container whereby the maximum amount of a given size wire is tightly and neatly coiled within a given container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple control for establishing the sequence in which the Wire line is predeterminately shifted for a plurality of turns of the container during the wire feeding and coiling operation to accomplish an improved coiling operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide for controlling the mannerin which the layers of coiled wire are formed within the container in accordance to a particular wire size.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple of construction and accurate in its operation to produce a more dense package whichcan be readily unwound without shifting loose coils becoming tangled.

The novel method by which the above objects are accomplished is to vary the ratio between the linear rate at which the wire is fed from a source and the angular 'velocity atwhich a wire receiving container is rotated to coil the Wire. By varying, timing and controlling the amount of change of this ratio, the wire line is shifted or moved in a predetermined fashion for a plurality of.

turns of the container to neatly and tightly coil the wire within the container in a prescribed manner in accordance to the wire size.

-An apparatus for accomplishing the foregoing objects includes a variable speed drive disposed between the 2,868,474 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 container with control means for varying the ratio becapstan for feeding the wire and the drive means for the tween the rotating rate of the capstan and container for periodically shiftin the wire line radially of the container to cause the wire to be compactly coiled in the container, particularly adjacent the edges of the space between the core and side walls so as to secure a more dense packing of the wire in the container. Under some circumstances the wire line will be shifted alternately between positions adjacent the core and the side wall. In coiling other Wire, such as fine wire, the wire line is pro gressively shifted from the side wall toward the core to effect a compact bundling of the wire in layers within the space between the core and side wall.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational front view of the feeding and coiling apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the said device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial section view taken along 33 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the actuating means, partly shown in section. v

Fig. 5 is a schematic showing illustrating the manner in which a fine to medium size wire is coiled in layers within a container according to this invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a modified manner in which a heavier gage wire is coiled within the container; and it Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified cam member forming part of the actuating mean for effecting the type of coiling arrangement as illustrated by Fig. 6.

According to this invention, the novel method by which this invention can be practiced includes the steps of feed ing a length of Wire taken from a suitable supply source, for example, as from a drawing machine, supply spool, or the like, at a predetermined linear rate; guiding and directing the wire into a suitable container; and rotating the container as it receives the wire. In the presentmethod, the ratio between the linear feed rate of wire and the angular velocity at which the container is rotated is varied. By varying of the above ratio it has been dis covered that a shifting or changing wire line is established which causes the wire to be tightly and neatly coiled in the container. The novel method also includes the step of control-ling the rate of change of this ratio in a predeterminate manner so that the wire is coiled in .a uniform, prescribed layer having a predeterminate cross-sectional area so that for any given wire size the maximum amount of wire is packed within any given container. Furthermore, it has been discovered that by shifting the wire line in a prescribed manner, the method can function equally well regardless of the particular size of the wire being coiled.

While the above method can be manually performed, it

is desirable that the aforegoing method be mechanically ing relationship and actuating means F operatively as- 'sociated with the drive means E so as to control the amount of relative rotation between the rotary means B and means D.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the frame A includes a base 10 having an upright supporting structure 11 connected thereto. Joined to the upright structure 11 and extending outwardly therefrom in spaced, parallel rela tion to theb ase is an upper and lower extension 12 and 13 respectively; the upper extension 12 forming a support for the feeding mechanism.

According to this invention, the feeding mechanism includes a rotary means B in the form of a capstan 14 connected to a main driving shaft 15 journaled at an intermediate portion thereof in a suitable bearing 16 supported on the upper extension 12, the shaft 15 being connected to a suitable power source (not shown) to drive the capstan 14. Thus it will be noted, that a length of wire W, looped about the capstan 14, will cause the wire to feed from left to right as viewed in Fig. l as the capstan is rotated. Roller 16 carried by an arm 17 pivotally mounted on the frame A is urged into engagement with the wire W to control the same as it is fed to the capstan, and a suitable adjusting means 18 is provided to adjust the roller 16 relative to the capstan 14 to accommodate various size wire; If desired, a guide tube 19 is provided through which the wire isfed for directing the same to a packing container C.

While the wire may be packed in any suitable container, the illustrated form of a container for receiving the wire consists of a drum or cylinder C having a center core 19 spaced from the outer walls 20. As it will be more fully described, the wire is coiled about the core 19' in the space formed by it and the outer walls.

According to this invention, the container C is rotatably supported on the frame A. This is accomplished by providing a carrier 21 rotatably supported on the base 10 adjacent one end thereof, the carrier 21 being provided with a depending shaft 22 having a sprocket 23 connected thereto. The carrier is further provided with suitable clamping means 24 to releasably secure the container to the carrier 21.

Spaced from the carrier 21 and adjacent the other end of the base 10 there is journaled between the base 10 and. lower extension 13- a shaft 25 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 26' and 27, the shaft 25 likewise being provided with a sprocket 28. Preferably, the shafts 15 and 25- are axially aligned. A chain belt 29 connects the carrier sprocket 23 in driving relationship with the shaft sprocket 28. If desired, a belt tensioning means 36 having a roller 31 is adjustably mounted adjacent the belt. Thus, as shown, a simple adjustment of the roller toward or awayfrom the chain belt 29 controls the tension of the same as required for proper operation. Therefore, it will be noted, that as the carrierdrive shaft 25 is rotated, the chain belt 29' will causethe carrier 21 supporting the container C to rotate in response thereto.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the carrier driving; shaft 25 is connected in driving relation With the main drive shaft 15 to connect the capstan 14 in driving relationship with the carrier 21. While the capstan 14 t and carrier 21 can be connected so that the capstan will rotate at variable speeds relative to the carrier, or connected so that they both will rotate at variable speeds relative to each other, the illustrated form of the apparatus 'has the capstan 14 connected in driving relation with the carrier 21 whereby the latter is arranged to rotate at variable speeds relative to the capstan, which for any particular wire size, will rotate at a constant angular velocity.

According to this invention, this is accomplished by a drive means E connecting the main drive shaft 15 to the carrier shaft 25 so that the angular velocity of the carrier and the container supported thereon may be either increased or decreased while the rotative rate of the capstan remains unchanged or constant for a particular wire size..

This is accomplished by the drive means E which includes. an expansive V-pulley 32. connected to the main drive shaft 15 below the capstan and a simple wheel pulley 33 connected to the upper end of the-carrier drive shaft 25. In order that these pulleys32 and 33 can be connected in driving relation, they are connected to a second pair of pulleys 34 which are united on a common shaft 35 movably mounted on the frame by a belt means so that the rotation of pulley 32 is transmitted to the paired pulleys 34 which in turn drives pulley 33 to rotate the carrier. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the second pair of pulleys 34 includes an expansive pulley 36 and a wheel pulley 37. The wheel pulley 37 of the movably mounted pair of pulleys is connected to the expansive capstan pulley 32 by belt 38 and the expansive pulley 36 of the paired pulleys is connected by belt 39 to the wheel pulley 33 which is connected to the carrier shaft 25. By this arrangement, a mechanical advantage is attained while providing the desired variable rotative relationship between the capstan and the carrier.

As illustrated, the pair of pulleys 34 are mounted on a common shaft 35 journaled on a channel member 40 which is pivotally mounted on an extension 41 projecting outwardly from the frame. Thus, it will be noted, that the paired pulleys unit 34 can be bodily moved relative to the fixed capstan expansive pulley 32 and the wheel pulley 33.

The expansive pulleys 32 and 36 are similarly constructed so that one only need be described. The expansive pulleys consist of two half portions 32a and 32!) forming a V-groove 320, one half portion 32a of which is fixed toits respective shaft and the other half 3% of which is slidably' mounted thereon to move toward or away from its respective fixed portion 320. A compression spring 32d housed in a telescoping housing 322 normally urges the half portions 32a and 32b together. See Fig. 3.

Thus, it will be noted, that as the channel member 40 is pivoted inwardly toward the frame, the distance between centers of the movable paired pulley unit 34 and the fixed pulleys 32 and 33 is decreased. As a result, the respective belts 38 and 39 are moved radially outwardly toward the periphery of their respective expansive pulleys 32 and 36 so that the effective circumference of the respective expansive pulleys is increased, the compression spring 32d tending to urge the half portions 320: and 32b of the expansive pulleys toward each other to frictionally engage the belt. As a result of this relative movement of the pulleys, the distance between centers of the movable pulleys 34 and the fixed pulleys is decreased so that the effective circumference of the expansive pulleys are increased, thereby causing the angular velocity of the carrier 21 and, consequently, the container C supported thereon to be increased proportionately. Conversely, when the distance between centers of the respective movable and fixed pulleys is increased by movement of the channel outwardly away from the frame, the respective belts 38 and 39 tend to move inwardly of their respective expansive pulleys 32 and 36 causing a decrease in the effective circumference thereof which results in a proportionate decrease of the angular velocity of the carrier. It will be noted, that the increase or decrease in the angular velocity of the container as the carrier rotates effects the amount or rate of take-up or ceiling of the wire without effecting the rotation of the capstan or linear feedrate of the wire. Consequently, the rate of linear feed of the wire remains constant for any given wire size. As a result, by varying the rate of coil or take-up relative to the linear feed, a shifting or moving wire line is established. Furthermore, the shifting of the line in a determinate manner, as will hereinafter be described,

neatly and tightly coils maximum amounts of wire in a given container.

In order that this ratiobetween the linear feed rate and the rate of coiling, the latter being dependent upon the relative movement of" the pulley arrangement effecting the drive means E, can be controlled, there is provided an actuating means F. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the actuating. means F includes a suitable reduction gearing unit 42' supported on the frame which is driven by a carrier shaft'25 through a belt andpulley arrangement 43, as shown, to rotate a cam member 44. A bell crank 45 is pivotally mounted on a post 46 adjacent the cam 44 and has connected to one end 45a thereof a cam follower 47 in the form of a roller engaging the periphery of the cam member and a lever 48 pivotally connected to the other end 45b thereof; the lever 48 connecting the channel so that the latter will be moved toward or away from the frame in accordance to the action of the follower relative to the cam. If desired, the end b of the bell crank is provided with a slot 45c for adjusting the lever 48 connected thereto. Also, the lever can be threaded at one end 48a so that the channel can be adjusted relative thereto as shown. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the cam 44 controls the movement of the bell crank 45 so that the channel 40 will be automatically displaced in response to the movement of the bell crank as the roller follows the periphery of the cam.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cam member 44 consists of a double-node cam 44a which is constructed to have a high and low portion. Consequently, the double-node cam 44a as illustrated, will cause the channel to position the movable pulley unit 34 in either of two positions. When the cam follower 47 is riding on the high portion 44b of the cam 44a, the movable pulley unit 34 is positioned outwardly of the frame so that the effective circumference of the expansive pulleys 32 and 36 is small. Thus, the container C is rotated at a rate relative to the linear feed rate so that the established wire line L is positioned adjacent the outer wall Not the container C as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. As long as the cam follower. 47 remains on the high portion 44b of the cam 44, the established wire line L will tend to take up the wire at such a rate that the wire coils tend to stock up adjacent the outer wall of the container. However, because of some inherent factors present during the coiling operation, such as wire drop, whipping, etc., wire W will tend to form a layer of wire as shown by shaded area M in Fig. 5, wherein most of the wire coils tightly adjacent the outer walls 20 of the container C.

When the cam member 44a is rotated a determinate amount, and the follower 47 engages the low portion 440 thereof, the channel 40 is pivoted inwardly toward the frame, thereby causing the effective circumference of the expansive pulleys 32 and 36 to increase. This latter relationship causes an increase in the relative velocity of the carrier and container so that while the linear feed rate remains unchanged, the take-up or rate of coiling is increased. Thus the wire will tend to coil tightly about the core of the container because of its increased velocity in the manner as illustrated by the shaded area N in Fig. 5. Wire drop and whipping inherent during coiling will cause some of the wire coils to fall away from the core, thus efiecting the shape of the layer N as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, a shift of the wire to line L is effected during the coiling operation. It will be noted further that as the cam rotates at a predeterminate rate the wire line is alternately shifted to positions adjacent the outer wall and core respectively as shown by lines L and L in Figs. 2 and 5, so that the majority of the wire is alternately coiled adjacent the outer wall and core accordingly. Thus, the wire is ar-.

ranged in substantially uniform layers which are tightly andneatly coiled in a prescribed manner so that the maximum amount of a given size wire can be packed in a given container.

It has been discovered that the shifting of the wire to either of the two positions L and L above described is suitable for wire sizes ranging from fine to medium. However, for heavy type wire, it is desirable to have the wire line move continuously so that the layers of coiled-wire assume the forms as illustrated by the. shaded areas X, Y, Z, shown in Fig. 6; i. e. to have the Wire form coiled layers that are substantially uniform in cross-section in superimposed parallel relationship.

This result can be accomplished simply by substituting the eccentric cam illustrated by Fig. 7 for that of the double-node cam 44a hereinbefore described. It will be noted that cam 100, illustrated by Fig. 7, is shaped to cause the channel member to be moved constantly during the coiling operation. This is accomplished by rendering the cam 100 eccentric whereby the points on the periphery of the cam are not equidistantly positioned about the center of rotation. Thus, as the follower is engaging the portion 100a of the cam 100 between R and S, the wire line will gradually move from the outer wall 20 of the container toward the core 19' of the container C. See Fig. 6. This occurs because the portion 100a of the cam is so constructed that the ratio between the capstan and carrier is constantly changing because of the changing center distance between pulleys effecting a continually shifting wire line. When the portion 1011b of the cam engages the follower, the channel member is quickly returned to its outmost position so that a quick return of the wire line to a point adjacent the outer wall of the container is established simultaneous therewith to commence a new layer of wire coil. This quick return feature greatly increases the speed at which the coiling operation can occur. Other than this simple substituting of the cam member 16 0 for that of 44, the apparatus and method herein described remains unchanged.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be noted that the method and apparatus of this invention can be utilized to coil any size wire ranging from fine to heavy neatly and tightly into a given container so that the maximum amount of wire may be packed therein. Further, whereas the feeding and coiling apparatus heretofore known were intended to be used with only particular wire sizes, the apparatus of the instant case can be adapted to accommodate any wire size quickly and simply by the proper selection of the cam member. Consequently, the need of a. separate apparatus for each particular wire size run is eliminated, thereby affording a substantial saving in capital, idle machine time, etc. Furthermore, because of the novel principle of the shifting wire line, it is possible to coil more of a given size wire into a given container than was heretofore possible. Also, because of the novel manner in which the wire is coiled in predeterminate layers, neatly and tightly, a subsequent unreeling or unwinding operation is greatly facilitated.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

l. A method of feeding and coiling wire into a suitable container comprising the steps of feeding the wire at a predetermined linear rate, rotating a container for receiving said wire and periodically varying the ratio between linear feed rate of wire and the angular velocity at which the container is rotated to coil the wire, said ratio being maintained for a plurality of rotations of said container so as to establish predetermined different concentric wire lines for neatly and tightly coiling the wire in a prescribed manner.

2. A method of feeding and coiling wire into a suitable container comprising the steps of feeding the wire at a predetermined linear rate, rotating a container for receiving said wire, periodically varying the ratio between linear feed rate of wire and the angular velocity at which the container is rotated to coil the wire, said ratio being maintained for a plurality of rotations of said container so as to establish a shifting wire line for neatly and tightly coiling the wire, and controlling the amount of change in said ratio so that the Wire is coiled in layers within the container in a prescribed manner so that the maximum amount of a given size wire can be packed in a given container.

3. A wire feeding mechanism comprising a fram havingv a rotary means mounted. thereon for feeding wire from a supply source to a container, means for rotating the container receiving; the wire, drive means including a variable speed drive means operatively connecting said rotary means with said container rotating means to drive one of said means at variable speeds relative to the other, and actuating means driven by the output of said variable speed drive means for controlling the amount of relative rotation between said rotating means and maintaining said condition for a plurality of turns of said container to establish predetermined concentric wire lines so that the wire can be neatly and tightly coiled in the container in a prescribed manner.

4. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a rotary means mounted thereon for feeding wire from a supply, a container having a hollow center core for receiving the wire in the space formed between the outer walls of said container and hollow core, means for rotating said container, drive means including a variable speed drive means operatively connecting said rotary means with said container rotating means, and actuating means driven by the output of said variable speed drive means at a reduced speed for affecting the amount of relative rotation between said rotating means to establish a pair of predeterminate concentric wire lines; said actuating means affecting and maintaining the relative rotation between said rotating means for a plurality of turns of said container to alternately shift the wire line within said space from a line adjacent the outer Walls of said container to a line adjacent the core of the container so that the Wire can be neatly and tightly coiled in the container in a prescribed manner.

5. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a rotary means mounted thereon for feeding wire from a supply, a container having a hollow center core for receiving the wire in the space formed between the outer walls or". said container and hollow core, means for rotating said container, drive means including a variable speed drive means operatively connecting said rotary means with said container rotating means, and actuating means driven by the output of said variable speed drive means at a reduced speed for affecting the amount of. relative rotation between d rotating means to establish predeterminate concentric wire lines, said actuating means affecting the relative rotation of said means to gradually cause the wire line to move from the outer wall of the container radially inward toward the core and then quickly return the wire line outwardly adjacent the outer wall to repeat the movement so that the wire can be neatly and tightly coiled in the container in a prescribed manner.

6. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a rotary means mounted thereon for feed ing wire from a supply source to a container; means for rotating the container receiving the wire; variable drive means operatively connecting said rotary means with said container rotating means so that one of said means rotates at variable speeds relative to the other, and actuating means including a rotating cam member driven by the variable output of said variable speed drive at a reduced speed and cam follower engaging said cam member, said follower being connected to said variable speed drive means so that the relationship of the cam follower relative to said cam member controls the variable drive means to affect the amount of relative rotation between said rotating means and to maintain said variation for a plurality of turns of said container, the varying of the relative speed of one of said rotating means relative to the other creating the establishment of predetermined, spaced concentric wire lines as the wire is fed into the container so that said wire can be neatly and tightly coiled therein.

7. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a capstan means rotatably mounted thereon for feeding a wire from a supply; a container having a hollow center core for receiving thevwire in the space formed. between the outer walls of said container and hollow core; means for rotating said container; variable drive means operatively connecting said capstanmeans with said container rotating means to drive one of said means at variable speeds relative to the other, and actuating means driven at reduced speed from said variable drive means and including a rotating double-node cam member having a cam follower engaging said cam member, said cam follower being connected to said variable drive means to control the change in relative rotation between said capstan and container rotating means and to maintain said change for a plurality of turns of said container to establish alternately shifting concentric wire lines within the container from a line adjacent the outer wall of said container to a wire line adjacent the core and to maintain said wire lines for a plurality of turns of the container so that the wire can be neatly and tightly coiled in said container.

8. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a capstan means rotatably mounted thereon for feeding a wire from a supply; a container having a hollow center core for receiving the wire in the space formed between the outer walls of said container and hollow core; means for rotating said container; variable drive means operatively connecting said capstan means with said container rotating means to drive one of said means at variable speeds relative to the other, and actuating means including a rotating, eccentric, quick return cam member driven at reduced speed from the output and having a cam follower engaging said carn member, said cam follower being connected to said variable drive means to cause said variable drive to affect the amount of relative rotation between said capstan and container rotating means and to maintain said change for a plurality of turns of said container to establish gradually and continuously shifting concentric wire lines slowly moving radially inwardly of said container from a line adjacent the outer wall of said container to a line adjacent the core during a large number of turns of said container and then quickly shift the wire line radially outwardly to a point adjacent the outer Wall to repeat the movement so that the wire can be neatly and tightly coiled in said container.

9. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a capstan rotatably mounted thereon for feeding Wire from a supply source to a container; means for rotating said capstan; means for rotatably supporting a container for receiving the wire; variable drive means operatively connecting said capstan and container rotating means so that one rotates at variable speeds relative to the other, said drive means including a fixed expansive pulley connected to said capstan rotating means to rotate therewith, a second expansive pulley movably mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from said fixed pulley whereby the distance between centers of said pulleys can be varied, said second pulley being connected to drive said container rotating means; belt means connecting said pulleys in driving relationship; and actuating means driven at a reduced speed for moving said second pulley relative to said first pulley for increasing or decreasing the distance between pulley centers so that different ratios between the rotative speeds of the capstan and container are maintained for a plurality of turns of said container, the ratio being decreased or in creased proportionately to effect the establishment of predetermined concentric wire lines as the wire is fed into the container to neatly and tightly coil the wire therein.

107 A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a capstan means rotatably mounted there on for feeding wire from a supply source to a container; means for rotating said capstan; carrier means for retatably supporting a container for receiving the wire; variable drive means operatively connecting said capstan and carrier means to drive the carrier at variable speeds relative to the capstan, said drive means including an expansive pulley connected to said capstan rotating means to rotate therewith, a second expansive pulley movably mounted on said frame so that the distance between centers of said pulleys can be varied, said second pulley being connected to said carrier means; belt means connecting said pulleys in driving relationship, and an actuating means driven from said carrier means through a reducing gear for moving said second pulley relative to said first pulley for increasing or decreasing the distance between pulley centers so that different ratios between the rotative speeds of the capstan and carrier are maintained for a plurality of turns of said container, the ratio being decreased or increased respectively to efiect the establishment of predetermined concentric wire lines as the wire is fed into the container to neatly and tightly coil the wire therein, said actuating means including a cam member, a follower engaging said cam member, said follower being operatively connected with said second pulley to vary the distance between centers of said pulleys.

11. A wire feeding and coiling mechanism comprising a frame having a capstan rotatably mounted thereon for feeding wire from a supply source to a container; a driving shaft adapted to be connected to a power source for rotating said capstan; carrier rotating means for rotating a container to receive the wire mounted on said frame; guide means for directing the wire from said capstan to said container; variable drive means connecting said capstan and said carrier rotating means in driving relationship so that said carrier means rotates at variable speeds relative to said capstan, said drive means including an expansive pulley connected to said drive shaft of said capstan to rotate therewith, a second expansive pulley paired with a wheel pulley movably mounted on Said frame whereby the distance between centers of said expansive pulleys can be varied, a second wheel pulley connected to said carrier rotating means; belt means respectively connecting a wheel pulley to an expansive pulley whereby the capstan and carrier rotating means are connected in driving relationship; and actuating means driven at a reduced speed for automatically moving said paired pulleys relative to said capstan expansive pulley for increasing or decreasing the distance between centers of said expansive pulleys to decrease or increase respectively the etfective circumference of said expansive pulleys so that the relative rotation of the carrier rotating means relative to the capstan is decreased or increased accordingly to effect the establishment of predetermined concentric wire lines for a plurality of turns of the container as the wire is fed into the container during the feeding operation to neatly and tightly coil the wire therein, said actuating means including a cam member, a follower engaging said cam, said follower being operatively connected to said pair of pulleys to automatically vary the elfective circumference of said expansive pulleys by controlling distance between centers of said expansive pulleys.

12. A wire coiling means comprising means for feeding wire from a source to a container at a predetermined linear rate, means for rotating said container, and means for periodically varying the ratio between the linear feed rate for the wire and the angular velocity of the container, said ratio being maintained for a plurality of rotations of said container so as to establish predetermined different concentric wire lines whereby the coiled wire is neatly and compactly disposed in said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 334,453 Morgan Jan, 19, 1886 796,740 Linkmeyer Aug. 8, 1905 1,008,993 Seward Nov. 14, 1911 1,992,430 Johnson Feb. 26, 1935 2,722,729 Wilhelm Nov. 8, 1955 

